Someone's preference

As His Majesty took his seat, Concubine Feng's birthday banquet began.

Everyone toasted the imperial concubine, wished her a happy birthday, and expressed their wishes.

There are silks, satins and brocades, as well as jewels and jade.

Princess Jinru gave her mother a painting.

Concubine Feng looked at her only daughter and said with concern,

"I've been selecting a good husband for you recently. Just stay here and don't let me and the emperor worry about you anymore."

Princess Jinru was a little embarrassed to hear people say that about her in front of everyone, so she said casually,

"I understand, my daughter obeys!"

Looking at her playful face, the emperor and the imperial concubine couldn't help laughing.

Seeing that others brought valuable items, Fuyao's heart began to beat fast.

In fact, she had thought about giving the imperial concubine some valuable things, but she felt that these were the things that were most in demand in the palace.

The emperor dotes on her so much, so he must give her a lot of rewards.

So she plucked up the courage to step forward and handed the eggplant bag she had designed to Eunuch Han.

"What a shameful gift that is!"

Someone at the banquet said this.

Feng Chenyu's eyes flashed slightly, and he looked over with displeasure, scaring the man so much that he immediately shut up.

“My Lady, this is an eggplant bag that Fuyao made herself.

The inner fabric is silk, the outer fabric is satin, and it is finished with Suzhou embroidery."

Fuyao said neither humbly nor arrogantly.

"Oh, you made it yourself."

Concubine Feng took the eggplant bag curiously. The base color was moon white, and it was embroidered with a fairy peach pattern using Suzhou embroidery techniques.

The embroidery surface is flat and smooth, the stitches are neat, and the stitches are almost invisible, giving it a delicate and exquisite texture.

As a royal concubine, she had seen all kinds of exquisite fabrics, but what she didn't expect was that the country girl she originally thought of would have such aesthetic taste and craftsmanship.

This technique is quite advanced, and her gaze turned from curiosity to admiration.

In fact, although Fuyao doesn't like needlework, she seems to have a talent for it.

Although I started learning embroidery late, I made rapid progress.

Concubine Feng handed the eggplant bag to the emperor.

"How about your Majesty?"

The official took the eggplant bag she handed over.

"The stitches are exquisite, the surface is smooth and even, it's simple and elegant yet elegant. Very good!"

Concubine Feng smiled and said,

"Yes."

She turned to look at Fuyao,

"I've only heard that you're a skilled martial artist, but I didn't expect you to be so kind and refined. I really like this eggplant bag."

"I only hope that the Queen likes it. I wish the Queen a long life, good health, and everything goes well.

May the grace of the Empress bless the people of the world and bring peace to the world."

Fuyao bowed.

"I heard that you are Shangguan Xuan's daughter?"

The official looked at her with a scrutinizing gaze.

Fuyao raised his hand, somewhat surprised.

"Your Majesty, Shangguan Xuan is my wife's father."

Looking at this woman who looked somewhat similar to Shangguan Xuan, Guan Jia couldn't help but fall into memories. After a moment of hesitation, he said,

“Back then, your father was a man of great talent and learning, and of high moral character.

I am deeply pleased that you have stood shoulder to shoulder with Feng Yin and assisted me, just like a pillar in the middle of the stream, helping me to maintain my throne.

Now that you and Chen Yu are happily married, their spirits in heaven must be very pleased!"

Originally, everyone thought that Shangguan Fuyao was just the niece of Minister Liu, but now after hearing what the emperor said, they suddenly realized that her identity was not simple.

Those who once looked down on her all shut up.

Returning to his seat, Feng Chenyu turned his head and looked at her beside him.

She had such skills, but he was completely unaware of it. However, it didn't matter. He loved her no matter what kind of person she was.

After returning to the general's mansion, Fuyao began to busy herself with the store's affairs without stopping.

Feng Chenyu saw that she went out early and came back late every day, so he didn't dare to ask her anything, so he asked Ma Sui to find out. Only then did he find out that she had opened a shop.

The corners of his lips couldn't help but curl up slightly. She was indeed the woman he valued. She was truly a different person.

This is good, she has something to do so she won’t be bored in the house.

The store is fully equipped with various fabrics and needles and threads, all of which were selected by Fuyao herself.

Ling Fengwan found an embroiderer for her named Zhuo Yunmeng, a woman from outside the area who married a local man and had a daughter.

Fuyao saw that she had a dignified appearance and elegant manners.

Her embroidery was also very outstanding, so I was very satisfied and hired her that day.

Then she gave the sample of her painting to Zhuo Yunmeng and asked her to make a few based on it.

Because they were going to open the store tomorrow and had arranged everything, Fuyao returned to the general's mansion early.

As soon as she entered the yard, she saw Feng Chenyu practicing archery in the yard. She wondered why he came back so early today.

"Do you want to try it?"

Feng Chenyu was a little surprised to see her come back so early today, but it was good that she came back.

So he found an excuse and wanted to take the opportunity to stay with her for a while.

Fu Yao, who originally wanted to refuse, felt itchy when she saw the bow and arrow.

So he raised his hand to take it and started drawing the bow and shooting arrows.

The first arrow missed the target, and she was a little unhappy.

The second arrow still missed.

Could it be that I’ve been doing too much needlework lately and can’t shoot a bow anymore?

She was a little annoyed.

Feng Chenyu lowered his head and smiled, then he stepped behind her and held her hands tightly.

"Because the bull's eye is higher than you, you need to extend your index finger. When it touches the back of the arrow, it is considered in place. Then use the index finger of your bow hand as a guide to aim."

Fuyao heard his slightly magnetic voice from behind, and the hand she was holding could clearly feel the warmth of his palm.

She calmed herself, then quickly and steadily released the bowstring.

This time, it hit the bull's eye.

She turned around and shouted happily,

"I got it."

Feng Chenyu lowered his head. Since they were standing close to each other, his lips accidentally brushed against her forehead, and they could feel each other's breath.

Fuyao lowered her head, her cheeks slightly red.

"I didn't mean to do that."

Feng Chenyu quickly replied, but in fact he was the only one who knew.

Fuyao replied softly,

"fine."

He turned around and continued shooting arrows.

Hitting the bull's eye again, Feng Chenyu looked at her admiringly from the side.

He knew she was very smart and would get the point with just a little guidance.

With her intelligence and martial arts skills, she would probably be an extraordinary person if she went into battle and killed the enemy.

However, how could Feng Chenyu bear to let her do this!

"I heard your shop is opening tomorrow?"

He still couldn't help but ask.

Fuyao, who was holding a bow and arrow, turned around and was hesitating whether to tell him or not. Now that he already knew, he nodded.

"Um."

Then continue shooting.

Feng Chenyu, who had been holding onto some expectations, immediately became disheartened when he saw that she had nothing more to say, and then he turned and left.

Another arrow hit the bull's eye.

Fuyao looked back, where was the person? Why did he leave so suddenly?

After being busy in the Privy Council for a whole morning, Feng Chenyu hurried to the Xiao Mansion in the afternoon.

In the hall, Taifu Xiao was sitting on a chair, looking at him with a smile, looking very amiable.

"Ever since His Majesty sent you to Ganzhou, it's been quite difficult to see you."

Feng Chenyu nodded slightly.

"Chen Yu will definitely come here often in the future."

Xiao Taifu hurriedly shook his hands.

"Yes, His Majesty thinks highly of you now, and I think you are busy too.

First he made a secret visit to Ganzhou, and then he investigated the Ministry of Justice. He is indeed a promising young man!

I am truly relieved.”

"The matter of Minister Li was also a coincidence. When I was fighting against Xindong, I captured one of their generals. Later, I learned from him that Minister Li had contacts with them."

Feng Chenyu told the truth.

Xiao Taifu nodded.

"I see.

But you were really great in this expedition.

The first battle was a victory, just like your father's style in his time."

Feng Chenyu lowered his head.

"This is also thanks to the cooperation of the generals."

"Speaking of your father and brother, ah!"

Xiao Taifu spoke with a regretful tone, his eyes slightly red.

"How much contact have you had with the East Palace recently?"

"I've been busy lately, so I haven't been out much."

Feng Chenyu replied.

"You grew up together and went to school together, so you have a friendship as classmates. You must visit each other more often."

Xiao Taifu warned worriedly,

"Besides, if the Eastern Palace ascends the throne one day, he will be the future new monarch, so we can't be estranged from him."

"I've taken note of everything you always say."

Feng Chenyu said gratefully.

"Now it's all you young people who rule the world. I'm old now, and I'm just waiting for the day when I can retire and return home to enjoy my old age."

After bidding farewell to Mr. Xiao, Feng Chenyu walked out of the hall and ran into Princess Xiao who had just returned from outside.

"Your wife opened a new store today, and you didn't even go to see it?"

She spoke first.

"How did the princess know her shop was open?"

Feng Chenyu didn't understand.

Princess Xiao smiled with her eyes curved,

“Speaking of this, I admire Fuyao very much.

She had such good cooking skills that she presented an eggplant bag to the Empress at the birthday party and was praised by them.

Everyone knows this.

Now she has opened a shop selling eggplant bags, and many people come here to buy her products.”

He nodded and said,

"Then I'll take my leave."

In fact, Fuyao gave Concubine Feng an eggplant bag as a gift, but she felt that this was the best way to express her feelings.

But I didn't expect to receive such high praise from His Majesty and the Imperial Concubine, and then this matter spread among the noble ladies.

Therefore, many people came to watch the opening of the new store today.

In the carriage, Feng Chenyu recalled what Old Master Xiao had just told him. He and the prince used to be quite close. After all, as his study partner since childhood, they were together almost every day and often went to Grand Tutor Xiao's house to study and play together.

It was only since last year that there was a gap in their relationship.

It was once when he accompanied His Highness for a drink, and after His Highness had drunk too much, he spoke his true feelings.

That is, His Highness likes Princess Xiao, but Princess Xiao only has him, Feng Chenyu, in her heart.

Although they acted as if nothing had happened after they sobered up the next day, words spoken are like spilled water and cannot be taken back.

Although the two of them looked the same on the surface, a distance began to form between them in their hearts.

When Feng Chenyu returned to the general's mansion at night, he saw that the bedroom light was still off. Has Fuyao not come back yet so late?

Just when he was wondering, he saw Nanny Wu coming over.

She looked unwell.

"Sir, there are some things I have to say.

This lady has been running around outside all day since she married into the general's mansion, and now she even runs a shop outside and shows off in public.

It's already so late today, and you haven't come back yet. This behavior is a disgrace to the General's Mansion."

Feng Chenyu lowered his head and smiled.

"Fuyao has been used to freedom since she was young, and some rules and etiquette don't suit her very well, so please forgive her, Madam."

"snort!"

Aunt Wu's expression changed drastically.

"I only know that if Madam were still alive, she would never allow such a thing to happen."

After saying that, he turned and left.

Looking at the nanny's back and then at the dark bedroom, Feng Chenyu rubbed his brows helplessly.